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"He said I have been brilliant and that's why he wants me to play every week. So, for me, that's all put to bed now."

Former Middlesbrough and Villa winger Downing looked set to leave Anfield in January after Rodgers told him he was surplus to requirements.

And the 34-cap England man admitted: "It was like a kick in the teeth; a shock. It hurt, it really did. I cannot afford not to be playing. Not at my age. He said: 'If things don't change you are free to leave.' He was quite open about it and credit to him for that.

"Everyone thought when he said it that that was it for me but I have actually always got on well with the manager and I have always worked hard. At Middlesbrough with Steve McClaren, I worked hard in a defensive, counter-attacking team and at Aston Villa it was the same.

"But the biggest criticism you can have is the manager saying you can go and I had that. I just felt I needed a chance, that I needed a run of games."